Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has opened up on what led to his departure following a brief spell at Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, which officially ended on Monday.
The Tunisian has confirmed leaving the former African champions after just over two months at the helm. In his first job since leaving Chiefs in October 2025, Nabi had replaced Fadlu Davids and helped the Green Eagles return to the CAF Confederation Cup this season in the seven league games he was in charge last campaign.
Raja finished third in the Moroccan Botola Pro League after four wins, two draws and a defeat. They narrowly missed out on a CAF Champions League spot, with just a point separating them from second-placed RS Berkane. Nabi leaves as Raja are in pre-season, preparing for the 2026/27 season.
As first reported by FARPost, the Nedbank Cup-winning coach was headed for the exit door after clashes with his bosses over player transfers. This publication learnt that Nabi was keen to sign former Mamelodi Sundowns duo Peter Shalulile and Thapelo Maseko, but was left frustrated by the alleged lack of support from Raja.
RAJA CASABLANCA MOVE IN TO REPLACE NASREDDINE NABI
Late Monday, the Moroccan outfit appointed Spaniard Paco Jémez—a former assistant to Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham United—as their new head coach. Following the appointment, Nabi broke his silence regarding his departure.
“Following the end of my time with Raja Casablanca, I wanted to speak out to close the chapter and avoid unnecessary controversy,” the former Chiefs coach wrote on Instagram early Tuesday.
“The club’s identity, history, high standards, and playing DNA aligned deeply with my own footballing philosophy. It was this alignment that convinced me to join such a great club.
“I took over the team in a particularly complex and difficult situation, but – thanks to Allah and the hard work of the players, the staff, and everyone involved with the club – we managed to salvage our season by achieving our goal of qualifying for the CAF competition.”
NABI CITES PULLING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WITH RAJA AS EXIT FACTOR
Nabi also said he no longer shared the same vision as Raja, which led to his departure from the club. He was already planning for the upcoming season, but his efforts in building his squad were frustrated.
“I approached the new season with a clear vision, great ambition, and a desire to build a project worthy of what Raja represents. Initially, this vision was shared by the management and the various stakeholders at the club; indeed, it was on this basis that I had agreed to take on the project,” added the 61-year-old.
“However, as the project and sporting decisions evolved, certain directions shifted, and our visions regarding how to move forward eventually diverged.
“I fully respect this decision and have no desire to turn a difference in sporting vision into a controversy. Raja stands above us all. When I arrived, I said that a team never relies on a single individual. I still believe that. Neither the coach, nor the player, nor anyone else is – or ever will be – above the institution.”
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